THE POPE’S HAT CAN BE FOUND across Park Boulevard from The Wedge area and about a mile east of the entrance to Jumbo Rocks Campground. (See The Wedge 3D Gallery HERE.)

There are over 30 named rock climbs on this large inselberg and surrounding boulders situated at Live Oak Picnic Area. The major climbs face west and south. The iconic Pope’s Hat includes “Pope’s Hat,” “Nincompope,” “Pope on a Rope,” “Desert Storm,” “Pope and Circumstances,” and “Is the Pope Catholic?”

Inquisition Rock, detail

The Pope’s Cape is a block/formation just north of the Pope’s Hat and includes the popular “The Popemobile” and “Papal Smear.” Close by these are The Pope Boulders, including The Slammer, Tidy Bowl, Papal Pleaser, and Oh God! Lastly, on this side, a large, low-angled, north-facing rock south of The Pope’s Hat known as Inquisition Rock. It hosts two relatively easy climbs “Westward Ho!” and “Funky Gunkies.”

On the east side, scattered throughout the picnic area and southward are Abbey Rock, Perjury Rock, and the tall Whispering Wall. This latter is a wide, south-facing wall indicated on the second illustration above that can be found immediately east of the Pope’s Hat. Climbs on The Whispering Wall include “Stemski,” “Jeepers Leepers,” “My 3 Friends,” “Indian Garden,” “More Crazy Than Lazy,” “Mother Board Breakdown” (a popular climb apparently by the 3-star rating) and finally “Charlotte’s Web.”

Below, we illustrate Creeper Rocks, 500 yards from of The Whispering Wall group and easily accessible from the east side parking circle and picnic tables. It includes “Finger Locking Good,” “Irie Heights,” “Cadillac Desert,” “Sunday Afternoon,” and “Route Canal.” According to the author of the http://www.mountainproject.com website, “The Creeper Rocks offer a small number of mostly mediocre routes with the exception being Irie Heights (5.10d) and Cadillac Desert (5.11b).”

Jeeper’s creepers this was a fantastic area within Joshua Tree National Park to take 3D photos. So many interesting angles. Endless balanced- or strange-shaped rocks. Strategically placed yuccas or small Joshua trees which can be used for framing. Close-ups; long distant panoramas; a bit of everything which makes it all worthwhile. I hope that you enjoyed visiting the Pope’s Hat, and that you will tip your hat to me.